President's Letter
28th October 2026
It's been a long time since we updated all of the OAA activities with dates, times, places and contact info, and we have a significant number of new members as well, so here is a letter that will provide these details. I will also post it on the website for easy future access.
Berger Meetings
Our biggest attended meetings are in the Berger Center, on the second Friday of the month, with the exception of July, August and December. In general, the speaker subjects concern art history, famous artists, and art appreciation, rather than the technical aspects of art. There is a Zoom link for them,
Meeting I D: 848 5663 2141 Passcode: 020188
and they are often recorded with the exception of speakers from the DeYoung Museum, which has a policy of not permitting them to be recorded.
The meetings start at 10 am with refreshments, followed by occasional announcements at 10:15am, and the Speaker at 10:30 am. For questions and more details, contact out Vice-President Linda Begelman. lindaluria@aol.com.
ArtShare
For those of our membership interested in the more technical aspects of art and discussions and fellowship with other artists, a typical ArtShare meeting will begin with presentation and discussion of artist's works, finished or in progress, then a short break with socializing, often followed by a short technical presentation or video.
The meetings are held in the Art Room in the Central Activities Center, the third Monday of the month, starting at 1 pm. Dianne Hansen is the moderator. dianhnsn@aol.com.
Figure Drawing
For those who want to practice their drawing skills, there is a meeting in the meeting room of the Central Activities Center on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 3 pm. Model subjects are presented life size on video in timed poses for sketching. Larry Cannon is the moderator. cdgplan@pacbell.net.
Unsupervised Art Work
A group of member artists meet every Friday in the Art Room at the Central Activities center from 12:30 pm to 3 pm to paint together and socialize. Anyone is welcome to come and join them.
Art Instruction Classes
Gail Mardfin teaches collage, perspective and hands and bodies classes on Sunday afternoons and Monday mornings in the Art Room. For further details contact Gail at gail@plpgraphicdesign, and/or go to our website, www.oakmontart.com and review the Classes and Workshops page.
Open Studios
Open Studios is an annual event where Oakmont Artists open their studios for a weekend to show their works and works in progress to the public for review or sale. This year the date is Saturday and Sunday November 21 and 22 from 10 am to 4 pm. For more details including a map and catalog of works, go to our website www.oakmontart.com and review the Open Studios page.
Annual Art Show
Our annual art show is Friday and Saturday April 2 and 3, 2027. The open space of the Berger Center provides Oakmont artists room to display works in multiple media for sale and viewing. In addition, multiple vendors sell jewelry and other craft items during the show. A large raffle provides funding donated to local students in art programs at the Santa Rosa Schools. Kathy Byrne is the chairperson. Kathyb80858@sbcglobal.net.
Art Display at the Oaks Restaurant
Our artists can display their works for viewing and sale for two month periods in the lobby of the Oaks Restaurant. Each wall can display approximately 20 pieces. Contact Wendy Franklin if you are interested in this opportunity. wendyfranklin@mac.com.
Museum and Gallery Bus Trips
Once or twice a year we organize bus trips to the DeYoung and other museums in San Francisco, enabling those of our less able members to attend and view current exhibitions. These trips are very popular and are always booked out . Bob Tanner organizes them. Bob.tanner100@gmail.com
Best Regards to everyone...
Philip Wilkinson
